Portrait of a Man in a Tricorn Hat 1767

Editor: Here we have John Russell's "Portrait of a Man in a Tricorn Hat," painted in 1767. It’s an oil painting currently residing here at the Art Institute of Chicago. The subject looks rather formal, a gentleman of status. What can you tell me about this piece, taking in its social and historical background? Curator: Well, the most striking thing for me is how this portrait actively participates in constructing an image of masculine authority during the late 18th century. Consider the setting. Note that dark background—what does it suggest to you? Editor: Maybe importance, like this man is set apart from others? Curator: Precisely! The somber tones, framing him, function as a stage emphasizing the sitter's stature. Notice, also, the elaborate clothing, particularly the tricorn hat itself. How does clothing operate within systems of power? Editor: Oh, it's a symbol of wealth and rank! The lace, the gold trim, must've been expensive materials back then. They communicate prestige and signal his position to other elites and those socially below him. Curator: Exactly. This image then actively creates, supports, and disseminates ideas of the sitter as one entitled to authority, participating in broader social hierarchies. We should ask: What role did the patronage system and institutions like the Royal Academy, where Russell exhibited, play in validating these depictions and reinforcing societal structures? Editor: So, it's not just about representing him, but reinforcing the system that puts him there. I hadn't thought about how those systems are active in displaying the paintings and the political effects that has. It adds a whole new level of understanding to portraits of this time! Curator: Indeed. By thinking about the cultural systems at work in the creation and exhibition of the image we start to get a picture of art’s broader public role and even its politics.